Annie Leibovitz Exhibition - OMG !!

Has anyone seen the exhibition Annie Leibovitz: A Photographer’s Life 1990–2005? It has toured the US and Europe and is now in its final weeks at the Museum of Contemporary Arts (at The Rocks, Sydney) till March 27th.

Admission is $15AU which is fantastic value is you plan your day well as there is a lot to see. I recommend taking a fair amount of extra cash though as you may want to buy the book (rrp $85) and the DVD.

Go early. Make sure you also book in for the free tour. The guides that took us went for an hour and a half. Their knowledge and their enthusiasm for Annie’s work was infectious. They also explained that the smaller works were Annie’s personal pictures and the larger were her commissions. They also provided many acedotal stories about the works and her special friendship with Susan Sontag.

I was there for over two hours and in that time I learnt more about the art of photography than I have through reading any book or by attending courses. The world through Annie’s eyes is an interesting place.

The image that moved me the most was Sarajevo 1994, a b&w picture of a bicycle lying on the ground next to a streak of blood. She had just witnessed the fatal attack of a boy on a bicycle. The story of how she was there at that time and how she tried to help the boy is one of the reasons why the tour is worthwhile.

My other favourite pic was the powerful portrait of Jim Carrey screaming. I am not a big Jim Carrey fan so was surprised that this image moved me so much.

Have you seen the exhibition? Are you familiar with Annie’s works? Which is YOUR favourite ?

It IS hard to pic a favourite ! So glad you are coming to Sydney Byron. It will be well worth the trip.

Last year I drove 4 hours to see the Masterpieces from Paris Exhibition and queued for another 2 hours and was sorely disappointed.. So I am delighted to tell you that you won’t be.

My advice is to go early in the morning. Then break up your visit by getting a stamp on your hand so you can leave for lunch and come back. That way you’ll have plenty of time to soak it all in.

I attempted to attend the exhibition a few weeks ago ~ a week day ~ and I couldn’t get in as there were already too many people. It was around lunchtime, but the weather was dreary, so I think everyone else in that area had the same idea. I’ll have to try again, maybe get in to the city a lot earlier this time.

Glad to hear you enjoyed the exhibition Sooz!

I went on a Saturday and there was no queue. Could just have been the luck of the draw.

Tots a meet up sounds great.

I’ve not set a date – just an intention as yet. As it closes March 27th I think around the 18th -20th March

I don’t feel I have a favorite but this one I have felt captured their relationship so very eloquently if not a little too sharply emotionally focused

She has a way of deconstructing layers me thinks.

I do love how she captured Meryl’s ability to be chameleon as well. ;O))

I went on a Saturday and there was no queue. Could just have been the luck of the draw.

Yes, I think it was. I purposely went in during the week to avoid the queues. Well, there’s still time to head in there and see it. :-)

Well, I may just join you. ;)

Walk? From the train station to the gallery? Yes ;)

That sounds like a good idea. And yes, the gallery is only a hop, skip and a jump from the station.

Maybe some dates should be put forward and see who can come along :-)

Perhaps a saturday is best

Saturday maybe late morning. Many people are busy shopping or taking kids to sport on Saturday mornings ;)